U.S. patent number RE30,301 [Application Number 05/640,711] was granted by the patent office on 1980-06-10 for beverage mixing and dispensing apparatus.
This patent grant is currently assigned to The Cornelius Company. Invention is credited to Alfred E. Zygiel, deceased.
United States Patent |
RE30,301 |
Zygiel, deceased |
June 10, 1980 |
Beverage mixing and dispensing apparatus
Abstract
Disclosed is fluid mixing apparatus employing a metering chamber
divided by a flexible diaphragm. Two fluids are simultaneously
injected into a mixing nozzle. The ratio of fluids is controlled by
a feedback line which translates pressure from the first fluid
outlet to the second fluid and thereby maintains a relatively
constant ratio between the head pressures on the two fluids.
Inventors: |
Zygiel, deceased; Alfred E.
(late of Dallas, TX) |
Assignee: |
The Cornelius Company (Anoka,
MN)
|
Family
ID: |
26926979 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/640,711 |
Filed: |
December 15, 1975 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
233513 |
Mar 10, 1972 |
03779261 |
Dec 18, 1973 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
137/564.5;
137/101.11; 222/129.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G05D
11/03 (20130101); Y10T 137/8597 (20150401); Y10T
137/2526 (20150401) |
Current International
Class: |
G05D
11/00 (20060101); G05D 11/03 (20060101); G05D
011/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;137/101.11,210,205.5,212,564.5,607,3,609 ;222/129.2,132,135,207
;239/405 ;261/DIG.7 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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365502 |
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Dec 1962 |
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CH |
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1017786 |
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Jan 1966 |
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GB |
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Primary Examiner: Cline; William R.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Kovar; Henry C.
Claims
I claim: .[.1. Apparatus for mixing fluids comprising
a. first valve means for injecting a first fluid into a mixing
chamber adapted for directed said fluid in a downwardly directed
stream,
b. second valve means for injecting a second fluid into said
stream,
c. a reservoir for said second fluid,
d. a metering chamber in fluid communication with said
reservoir,
e. check valve means permitting fluid flow from said metering
chamber to said reservoir,
f. by-pass means for conducting said first fluid from said mixing
chamber to said metering chamber,
g. diaphragm means within said metering chamber for separating said
first fluid and second fluid, and
h. means for conducting said second fluid from said metering
chamber to said second valve means..]. .[.2. Apparatus as defined
in claim 1 wherein said reservoir and metering chamber are
constructed to permit gravity flow of said second fluid from said
reservoir to said metering chamber..]. .[.3. Apparatus as defined
in claim 1 wherein said diaphragm means is a collapsible membrane
secured to the periphery of said metering chamber and adapted to be
expanded by said first fluid entering said metering chamber via
said by-pass means..]. .[.4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1
including means for simultaneously opening said first and second
valve means..]. .[.5. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said
mixing chamber is an annular chamber surrounding the outlet for
said second fluid and includes a plurality of apertures surrounding
the nozzle of said outlet, whereby first fluid escaping from said
mixing chamber forms a downwardly directed stream which flows over
the end of said nozzle..]. .[.6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5
wherein said apertures are arranged to generate a
swirling flow of liquid passing therethrough..]. .[.7. Apparatus
for selectively mixing fluids comprising
a. first valve means for injecting a first fluid into a chamber
adapted for directing said fluid in a downwardly directed
stream
b. second valve means for injecting another fluid into said
stream
c. a plurality of reservoirs for other fluids,
d. a plurality of metering chambers, one metering chamber being in
fluid communication with one of said reservoirs,
e. means permitting fluid flow from each reservoir into the
metering chamber in fluid communication therewith and preventing
fluid flow from said metering chambers to said reservoirs,
f. by-pass means and switch valve means operative to selectively
conduct said first fluid from said chamber to any of said metering
chambers,
g. diaphragm means for separating said first fluid and other fluid
in said metering chamber, and
h. means for conducting fluid from said metering chambers to said
second valve means..]. .[.8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7
wherein said means for conducting fluid from said metering chambers
includes a conduit from each of said metering chambers to a second
switch valve means operative to selectively switch any one of said
conduits into fluid communication with said second valve means..].
.[.9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 including means for
simultaneously activating said switch valve means and said second
switch valve means..]. .[.10. Apparatus as defined in claim 7
wherein said means for conducting fluid from said metering chambers
to said second valve means comprises a conduit from each metering
chamber to said second valve means, each conduit terminating at a
check valve which permits fluid to flow from said metering chamber
to said check valve only when the pressure in said metering chamber
is greater than atmospheric..]. .[.11. The method of mixing fluids
comprising the steps of
a. injecting a first fluid into a first chamber having apertures
therein for directing said fluid into a downwardly directed
stream,
b. injecting a second fluid into said downwardly directed stream
from a second chamber,
d. diverting fluid from said first chamber to said second
chamber,
d. separating said first fluid and said second fluid by a flexible
diaphragm, whereby said first fluid diverted to said second chamber
exerts
pressure on said second fluid in said second chamber..]. .Iadd. 12.
A beverage mixing and dispensing apparatus comprising:
(a) a dispensing head for mixing of water and beverage
concentrate;
(b) a water line having one end for being connected to a supply of
pressurized water, a normally closed dispensing valve selectively
actuatable for control of flow of water through the line, and a
water chamber downstream of the valve and having a partially
obstructed outlet opening for developing a bypass pressure in the
chamber during flow of water therethrough, the opening being in
fluid communication downwardly through the dispensing head to
ambient;
(c) a non-pressurizable reservoir for containing a supply of
beverage concentrate;
(d) a normally non-pressurized metering chamber in fluid
communication with the reservoir, said metering chamber being lower
than the reservoir and fillable from the reservoir by the force of
gravity upon concentrate in the reservoir;
(e) an automatic check valve between the reservoir and the metering
chamber for allowing concentrate flow from the reservoir to the
metering chamber under the force of gravity and for preventing
concentrate flow from the metering chamber to the reservoir;
(f) a concentrate line connecting the metering chamber to the
dispensing head, there being a valve in the concentrate line for
controlling flow of concentrate therethrough;
(g) a bypass line connecting the water chamber to the metering
chamber, for bypassing water from the water chamber to the metering
chamber only under the bypass pressure formed by the flow of water
through the partially obstructed opening and for intermittently
pressurizing the metering chamber with the bypass pressure
concurrently with and only upon opening of said dispensing valve;
and
(h) a thin collapsible and expandable cylindrical diaphragm of
thin, elastic and easily distortable rubber, said diaphragm being
positioned in the metering chamber for physically separating
concentrate and bypassed water, and being
(1) elastically distortably expandable under the bypass pressure
and upon flow of bypassed water flowing into the metering chamber
for pressurizing the concentrate in the mixing chamber and forcing
concentrate through the concentrate line to the dispensing head,
and being
(2) collapsible within the metering chamber and under the pressure
of flow of concentrate under the force of gravity into the metering
chamber, said metering chamber being completely fillable with
concentrate upon such collapse of said diaphragm and without
pressurization of the reservoir..Iaddend.
Description
This invention relates to a fluid mixing and dispensing apparatus.
More particularly it relates to a fluid feed-back controlled
apparatus for injecting metered amounts of one fluid into a stream
of another fluid.
In various fluid handling systems it is desirable and often
required to inject metered amounts of one fluid into a stream of
another fluid. Accordingly, various types of fluid handling systems
have been developed.
In many fluid mixing systems it is desirable that the mixing
apparatus be extremely simple, inexpensive and operable without the
use of electrically operated valves or the like requiring an
external power source. For example, artifically and naturally
flavored beverages are commonly sold in concentrated syrup form
which may be mixed with water or carbonated water to prepare
individual beverages. Because of the instability of carbon dioxide
saturated liquids, the beverages are conventionally prepared by
mixing a measured amount of syrup with a measured amount of
carbonated water, thereby producing a carbonated beverage,
immediately prior to serving. Conventionally, such dispensing
apparatus employs a mixing and dispensing valve wherein the
carbonated water and syrup are supplied under pressure to
simultaneously operable valves. Upon operation of the two valves
concentrated syrup and carbonated water are injected into a single
stream and the mixed liquids dispensed into a container. The ratio
of syrup to water is determined by the relative sizes of the valve
openings and head pressures on the liquids. Since the valve
openings are of fixed dimensions, variations in head pressure on
either liquid will cause variations in the mix ratio. Because of
the instability of carbonated water, head pressure on a closed
container of carbonated water may vary widely during and between
periods of use. Accordingly, unless the pressure on the syrup
reservoir is varied proportionately the ratio of syrup to
carbonated water may vary widely, resulting in dispensed beverages
of inconsistent quality.
In accordance with the present invention a dispensing apparatus is
provided in which the head pressure on .[.the.]. concentrate
.[.container.]. is directly proportional to the head pressure of
the carbonated water. Accordingly, as the pressure in the
carbonated water stream varies the head pressure on the syrup is
subjected to a proportional change, thereby resulting in a drink
mixture of uniform and consistent quality. The apparatus includes a
feedback line connected between the dispensing nozzle and .[.an
enclosed.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.concentrate .[.reservoir.].
.Iadd.metering chamber.Iaddend.. The feed-back fluid is injected
into the .[.reservoir.]. .Iadd.metering chamber .Iaddend.but
separated from the fluid therein by a diaphragm. Accordingly,
pressure on the feedback system will vary with pressure of the
carbon dioxide water stream. The pressure variations in the carbon
dioxide water stream are thereby transferred to the concentrate
.[.reservoir.]. causing a proportionate change in the concentrate
head pressure.
Through the use of the pressure feed-back system a proportional
pressure .[.dipensing.]. .Iadd.dispensing .Iaddend.apparatus is
provided which employs no electrically or manually operated valves
and may be completely operable without the use of any external
power source. The apparatus may be inexpensively fabricated from
conventional materials and advantageously automatically maintains a
constant ratio of concentrate to water regardless of the pressure
on the water stream. As an added advantage water in the feed-back
loop is allowed to drain through the mixing nozzle at the end of
the mixing cycle, thereby automatically washing the mixing
nozzle.
Other features and advantages of the invention will become more
readily understood when taken in connection with the appended
claims and attached drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatical representation of the preferred
embodiment of the invention, and
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatical representation of a multi-head
dispensing unit employing the mixing and dispensing apparatus.
A diagrammatical representation of a beverage mixing and dispensing
device employing the principles of the invention is illustrated in
FIG. 1. While the illustration relates to apparatus for mixing
concentrated syrup with carbonated water to provide a carbonated
beverage, it will be readily appreciated that the principles of the
invention may be applied to various other systems wherein one fluid
is injected into a stream of another fluid. The apparatus as shown
in the preferred embodiment is illustrated merely to demonstrate
the principles of the invention as applied to one conventional
dispensing system.
As illustrated in FIG. 1 the apparatus comprises a conventional
dispensing head 10 into which carbonated water and concentrated
syrup are injected through separate inlet lines 11 and 12,
respectively. The flow of water through the dispenser is controlled
by valve 13. Likewise, the flow of syrup is controlled by valve 14.
As illustrated, valves 13 and 14 are conventionally operated
simultaneously by a single actuating lever 115.
In the conventional dispensing apparatus water passes through valve
14 into a downwardly projecting nozzle 16 centrally located in
chamber 15. Annular chamber 15 has a downwardly extending opening
which is partially obstructed by a diffuser plate 17 having
apertures 18 passing therethrough. Accordingly, water passing
through line 11 and valve 13 into annular chamber 15 is directed
downwardly through diffuser 17 into a mixing nozzle 19.
In the preferred embodiment the apertures are slanted inwardly and
horizontally so that the water passing therethrough forms a
swirling stream. The syrup is injected through line 12, valve 14
and inlet 16 into the water stream each time the actuating lever
115 is actuated.
Inlet 16 is preferably centrally located so that the syrup is
injected into the approximate center of the swirling water stream,
thereby assuring complete mixing of syrup and water. The mixture
then exits through nozzle 19. If desired, nozzle 19 may be provided
with holes 19a which will allow fluid to escape from nozzle 19 if
the lower end is accidentally obstructed, thereby insuring that the
syrup metering apparatus will not be accidentally damaged by over
pressurization.
With valves 13 and 14 closed, all fluid drains from inlet 16 and
chamber 15. However, when the lever 115 is actuated to open valves
13 and 14 carbonated water flows through valve 13 into chamber 15.
Then, depending upon the size of apertures 18 in diffuser 17 and
the pressure on the carbonated water, the chamber 15 is filled with
carbonated water. The pressure on the water in chamber 15 is, of
course, dependent upon the size of apertures 18 and the pressure in
line 11.
In accordance with the invention a by-pass outlet 20 communicating
with by-pass line 21 is connected with chamber 15 through which
fluid may flow into by-pass line 21 whenever the pressure on the
fluid in chamber 15 exceeds atmospheric pressure.
Carbonated water is provided to inlet line 11 by any conventional
source or from a carbonator as described in co-pending application
Ser. No. 215,925 filed Jan. 5, 1972 .Iadd.(now abandoned).Iaddend..
Concentrated syrup is supplied from a reservoir 30.
The reservoir 30 is provided with a conventional filler cap 31 and
filtered air inlet 32. The air inlet is provided simply to maintain
the pressure within the reservoir 30 at atmospheric and may be
conveniently located in the filler cap 31 if desired. Reservoir 30
is provided with an exit aperture 33 at its lowest point
communicating with a conduit 34 which conducts fluid into a
metering chamber 35. Conduit 34 is provided with a check valve
which allows syrup to drain under the force of gravity from the
reservoir 30 into metering chamber 35 but prevents fluid flow in
the reverse direction. For this purpose a simple caged floating
ball 36 may be provided which seats in the neck 37 of the inlet
aperture. Accordingly fluid will flow freely from reservoir 30
through conduit 34 into metering chamber 35 but cannot flow in the
reverse direction.
In the preferred embodiment the metering chamber 35 is an
open-ended cylindrical chamber with outlet 39 near its closed end.
The open end is covered with a sealing plate 40. A flexible
diaphragm 41 is positioned between the open end of chamber 35 and
the sealing plate 40. Diaphragm 41 may be a thin flexible plastic
or elastic material such as rubber which may be easily distorted.
.[.In.]. .Iadd.The diaphragm 41 is a collapsable membrane secured
to the periphery of the metering chamber 35 and in .Iaddend.the
preferred embodiment diaphragm 41 is a thin collapsible cylinder
which may be expanded with very little pressure differential
thereacross. An inlet means 42 is provided in sealing cap 40
providing fluid communication between by-pass line 21 and the
interior of chamber 35. It will thus be observed that as fluid
flows through by-pass line 21 into chamber 35, diaphragm 41 is
distorted but maintains physical separation between carbonated
water injected into the chamber and the syrup in the chamber.
For operation a supply of carbonated water is connected to inlet 11
and beverage concentrate placed in reservoir 30. The concentrate
will drain through outlet 33 and .[.counduit.]. .Iadd.conduit
.Iaddend.34 into the metering chamber 35 until metering chamber 35
is filled with concentrate. Since diaphragm 41 is thin and
collapsible, the syrup will collapse the diaphragm 41 and
completely fill the metering chamber 35. The concentrate will also
fill the exit conduit 12.
Activation of lever 115 opens valves 13 and 14 simultaneously.
Accordingly, carbonated water flows through valve 13 into chamber
15 and through by-pass line 21 into metering chamber 35. As
carbonated water flows through by-pass line 21 the diaphragm 41 is
distorted to equalize the pressure thereacross, while separating
the syrup and water. As the pressure on the concentrate is
increased ball 36 blocks the aperture 37 and syrup is forced
through exit 39, line 12 and into the outlet 16. It will thus be
observed that as the pressure on the carbonated water in line 11 is
increased, pressure in by-pass line 21 and on diaphragm is also
increased, thereby proportionally increasing the pressure on the
syrup. Accordingly, the ratio of water to syrup remains relatively
constant regardless of the pressure on the carbonated water line
11.
When .[.valve.]. .Iadd.valves .Iaddend.13 and 14 are closed,
stopping the flow of carbonated water and syrup through lines 11
and 12, respectively, the water drains from chamber 15, thus
releasing the pressure in line 21 and on diaphragm 41. Accordingly,
syrup concentrate flows from reservoir 30 into the metering chamber
35, refilling the metering chamber and forcing the water therein to
return to chamber 15 by way of by-pass line 21. The released water
passing back through chamber 15 washes the nozzle 19 after each
operation.
From the foregoing it will be observed that the by-pass mechanism
provides means for varying the head pressure on the concentrate in
direct relation to the pressure on the carbonated water.
Accordingly, the ratio of syrup to water is relatively constant
regardless of water pressure. It will also be observed that the
.[.mechanixm.]. .Iadd.mechanism .Iaddend.advantageously avoids the
use of any electrically operated valves or pumping mechanism and
operates automatically with very few moving parts. Accordingly, the
apparatus may be inexpensively constructed to provide apparatus
which dispenses concentrated beverage mixes with a high degree of
consistency and uniformity.
As noted above, the by-pass pressure will be dependent on the size
and number of apertures in the diffuser 17. In conventional systems
water is injected into chamber 15 under about 50 psi pressure. It
has been found that when the diffuser has about twelve apertures 18
of about 0.031 inch diameter, the pressure in by-pass line 21 will
be about 3 to 6 psi and will vary with variations in water inlet
pressure. To provide maximum mixing, the apertures 18 should be
slanted about 32.degree. from vertical and tilted about
8.degree..
Referring now to FIG. 2, a modified apparatus utilizing the
principles of the invention is illustrated. The modified apparatus
of FIG. 2 comprises a dispensing head 10 as described hereinabove
with reference to FIG. 1. The mixing head 10 is provided with a
by-pass line 21 communicating with chamber 15 as described
hereinabove.
The system illustrated in FIG. 2, however, includes a plurality of
individual reservoirs 133, 233 and 333 and metering .[.chamber.].
.Iadd.chambers .Iaddend.135, 235 and 335 as described hereinabove
with reference to FIG. 1. By-pass fluid flowing through line 21 is
selectively directed to one of the metering .[.chanbers.].
.Iadd.chambers .Iaddend.135, 235 or 335 by means of a selector
.Iadd.switch .Iaddend.valve 50 which may be manually or
automatically operated.
.[.Concentrate.]. .Iadd.Concentrates .Iaddend.of different flavors
.[.is.]. .Iadd.are .Iaddend.placed in each reservoir 133, 233 and
333 and the outlet lines 112, 212 and 312 from each metering
chamber, respectively, are in fluid communication with a manifold
51 which in turn communicates with the concentrate inlet 12. Outlet
lines 112, 212 and 312 may be provided with .[.a.]. check valves
112a, 212a and 312a to prevent intermixing of concentrate .Iadd.and
which permit fluid to flow from the metering chambers 135, 235 and
335 to the check valves 112a, 212a and 312a only when the pressure
in a metering chamber is greater than atmospheric, .Iaddend.or with
a selector .Iadd.switch .Iaddend.valve which operates in
conjunction with .Iadd.and includes means for simultaneous
activation with .Iaddend.selector switch valve 50 to allow fluid to
flow from the selected outlet only.
It will be observed that the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2
operates in essentially the same manner as apparatus illustrated in
FIG. 1. However, the operation of selector valve 50 permits the
alternate selection of different flavors of concentrates to be
mixed with the carbonated water.
While the invention has been described with particular reference to
apparatus for mixing concentrated syrups with carbonated water, it
will be readily understood that the principles may be readily
applied to other fluids. For example, concentrated natural juices
may be mixed with water in the same manner. Likewise, other
arrangements may be employed utilizing the principles disclosed to
provide multi-head dispensers and the like.
It is to be understood that although the invention has been
described with particular reference to specific embodiments
thereof, the forms of the invention shown and described in detail
are to be taken as preferred embodiments of same, and that various
changes and modifications may be resorted to without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended
claims.
* * * * *